Flu Update
Fear of the Flu has been widespread this year. What made this year different from last? Cases of the flu usually peak during the winter months (January and February), but this year we were hit almost 2 months earlier with peak levels of the flu. This created a rush for healthy adults and kids to get the flu vaccine, which has led to worries that those who need it most (the elderly and those with chronic health problems) may not be able to get the vaccine. Last year, flu vaccine manufacturers over-produced the vaccine, and much of the supply was simply thrown away. This year, they did not make nearly as much, and now we are in short supply.

Another reason why the flu is hitting so hard is that the strain going around is the “Fujian” flu which was unfortunately NOT included in this year’s vaccine. Fortunately, however, this strain is not nearly as serious as the deadly “Asian” and “Hong Kong” strains of the flu. Despite it’s early peak, this year’s flu is not much different or deadlier than most years.

Approximately 42 kids have died so far from the flu or flu-related illnesses this year. According to the CDC, almost 100 kids under age 5 die each year from the flu or flu-related illnesses. This year these deaths began to occur much earlier than expected, leading to the media scare. But in reality, the number of deaths in kids may not end up being any different from previous years.

For information on whether or not you or your child should get a flu shot, click here.

For information on boosting your immune system to avoid the flu, click here.

For information on treating the flu, click here.

School Nutrition Programs Can Teach Kids to Eat Right
A review of several school programs showed that by offering more fruit and vegetable choices in the cafeteria, teachers and staff encouraging kids to eat them, and making healthy foods available for a much lower price all help kids to eat more of these healthy foods.

Dr. Sears comments: What is YOUR school feeding YOUR children? Getting rid of soda and candy machines is a start, but how about the lunch line. Is it all French fries and chips? You can make a difference. You can institute change in the lunch line. Start a school nutrition awareness program in your kids’ school.

Fit Kids Get Sick Less Often
A study showed that kids who participate in school or after-school sports and are in good physical shape get sick less often and miss less school than kids who are obese or don’t play sports.

Dr. Sears comments: Is your child low on energy and a bit high on weight? Does your child shun sports or physical activity because he or she is out of shape? The LEAN KIDS program can help. Click here to read more, and see Dr. Sears’ newest book Lean Kids in our online store.

New Warning About Mercury in Tuna
Two years ago the FDA cautioned pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as young children, to limit their consumption of swordfish, shark, king mackerel, and tilefish because of their high mercury content. Mercury is toxic to the developing nervous system of a fetus and young child.

Now the FDA is adding tuna to that list. They ask these women, and young children, to limit their tuna intake to 6 oz per week. Also of note is that fresh tuna steaks have higher mercury levels than canned light tuna.

Dr. Sears comments: Nutrition during pregnancy and breastfeeding is very important. One reason the FDA doesn’t say to stop eating tuna and other fish altogether is that fish does have very high nutritional value for protein and healthy fish fats, which are crucial during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Mercury, however, is also a danger. I encourage moms to eat healthy fresh wild Alaskan Salmon (NOT farmed, which is contaminated) and to avoid the other mercury fish as much as possible. Click here to read more about nutrition during pregnancy.